KR20120090270A - Air conditioner system and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioner system and a method of operating the same. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating an air conditioner system includes: driving an indoor unit according to a set driving schedule, and monitoring a temperature of a room in which the indoor unit is operating when the pre-stop time is reached while operating the indoor unit. And stopping the operation of the indoor unit when the difference between the monitored temperature and the set temperature of the indoor unit is within the set allowable temperature difference. As a result, power consumption can be reduced.

Description

Air conditioner system and method for operating same

The present invention relates to an air conditioner system and an operation method thereof, and more particularly, to an air conditioner system and an operation method that can reduce power consumption.

The air conditioner is installed to provide a more comfortable indoor environment for humans by discharging cold air into the room to adjust the indoor temperature and purifying the indoor air to create a comfortable indoor environment. In general, an air conditioner includes an indoor unit which is configured as a heat exchanger and installed indoors, and an outdoor unit which is configured as a compressor and a heat exchanger and supplies refrigerant to the indoor unit.

The air conditioner is separated and controlled by an indoor unit composed of a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit composed of a compressor and a heat exchanger, and is operated by controlling power supplied to a compressor or a heat exchanger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner system and a method of operating the same capable of reducing power consumption.

In order to achieve the above object, an operating method of an air conditioner system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: driving an indoor unit according to a set driving schedule, and when the preset free stop time is reached during indoor unit operation, the indoor unit operates. Monitoring the temperature of the indoor room and stopping the operation of the indoor unit when the difference between the monitored temperature and the set temperature of the indoor unit is within a set allowable temperature difference.

In addition, the air conditioner system according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the outdoor unit, the indoor unit to perform heat exchange using the refrigerant from the outdoor unit, and controls the indoor unit to operate according to the set operation schedule When the preset free stop time is reached during operation of the indoor unit, the indoor unit monitors the temperature of the room in which the indoor unit is operating, and when the difference between the monitored temperature and the indoor unit is within the set allowable temperature difference, the indoor unit is stopped. It includes a central controller for controlling.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the preset free stop time is reached during the operation of the indoor unit, the indoor unit monitors the temperature of the operating room, and the difference between the monitored temperature and the set temperature of the indoor unit is within the set allowable temperature difference. In this case, power consumption can be reduced by stopping the operation of the indoor unit.

1 is a block diagram of an air conditioner system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of the air conditioner system of FIG. 1.
3 is a simplified internal block diagram of the air conditioner system of FIG.
4 is a flowchart of an air conditioner system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram referred to the description of FIG. 4.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described the present invention in more detail.

The suffix "module" and " part "for components used in the following description are given merely for convenience of description, and do not give special significance or role in themselves. Accordingly, the terms "module" and "part" may be used interchangeably.

The air conditioner system according to the present invention may include a plurality of units such as an indoor unit for discharging cold air into the room, an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit, and the like. In particular, the outdoor unit may be connected to a plurality of indoor units, and the outdoor unit may supply a refrigerant to the connected indoor units.

1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of the air conditioner of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner system includes an air conditioner network 14, a central controller 100, and a remote controller 10.

The air conditioner network 14 is formed by connecting a plurality of units of the air conditioner 15 to each other by a communication line. The plurality of air conditioner units in the air conditioner network 14 communicate with each other using the same protocol, transmit data on the operation state to the central controller 100, and control commands received from the central controller 100. To operate or stop the operation, and change the setting.

The air conditioner 15 constituting the air conditioner network 14 includes an outdoor unit 105, 108, 107, an indoor unit 102, 103, 106, a ventilation unit 101, 104, an air cleaner 109. , Heating units such as heaters and boilers (not shown), humidifying units (not shown), dehumidifying units (not shown) and the like. It is also possible to provide it selectively.

The air conditioner may be applied to any of the stand type air conditioners, the wall-mounted air conditioners, and the ceiling type air conditioners, as long as they can be connected to the central controller 100. For convenience of description, the ceiling type air conditioners will be described as an example. do.

Here, the outdoor unit is driven by the request of the indoor unit, and the number of operation of the outdoor unit and the number of operation of the compressor installed in the outdoor unit vary as the cooling / heating capacity is changed corresponding to the driven indoor unit.

One indoor unit may be connected to one outdoor unit, but in some cases, a plurality of indoor units may be connected to one outdoor unit, and one or more indoor units may be provided in one indoor unit.

The central controller 100 is connected to the indoor unit, the outdoor unit, and other units to transmit and receive data, thereby monitoring the operation of the air conditioner 15 unit, and controlling the controller in response to an input user command or a specified schedule or setting. The control is performed to generate a command and to transmit a predetermined operation to each unit.

The central controller 100 may control a plurality of units in units of individual units or may divide at least one unit into a predetermined group or zone and control the operation in units of groups or zones.

At this time, the central controller 100 and the air conditioner 15 transmit and receive data using a protocol according to the air conditioner network 14 as they are interconnected to the air conditioner network.

In addition, the central controller 100 is connected to the remote controller 10, transmits the data received from the air conditioner 15 to the remote controller 10, the air conditioning control command received from the remote controller 10 Transfer to group 15.

At this time, the central controller 100 and the remote controller 10 are connected by a communication line 11 separate from the communication method of the air conditioner network, thereby communicating. For example, the central controller 100 and the remote controller 10 may be connected by Ethernet.

The remote controller 10 receives and monitors data of the air conditioner 15 collected by the central controller 100, and controls the operation of the air conditioner 15 by applying a control command to the central controller 100. do.

At this time, the remote controller 10 and the central controller 100 are controllers for the operation of the air conditioner, and operation control and monitoring are possible, but the remote controller 10 controls the air conditioner through the central controller 100. There is a difference.

In some cases, the remote controller 10 operates as a main means of monitoring and outputting data through the output of data through execution of a control program for the air conditioner. Substantial control may be performed in the central controller 100.

In addition, when the central controller 100 operates as a server, the remote controller 10 may be a control terminal that connects to the central controller 100 serving as a server and transmits and receives data to monitor and control the air conditioner 15.

The indoor units (102, 103, 106) and the outdoor units (105, 107, 108) are connected to the refrigerant pipe to discharge cold air from the indoor unit to the room as the refrigerant circulates.

In addition, the indoor units (102, 103, 106) and the outdoor unit (105, 107, 108) are not only connected to the refrigerant pipe but also connected to the communication line can transmit and receive control commands according to a predetermined communication method. At this time, the indoor units (102, 103, 106) transmits and receives data in a predetermined communication method using the address assigned by the outdoor unit (105, 107, 108).

2, any one indoor unit 102 of a plurality of indoor units includes an expansion valve 210 for expanding a refrigerant supplied from an connected outdoor unit 105, an indoor heat exchanger 208 for exchanging refrigerant, and indoor air. Includes an indoor fan 209a, a plurality of sensors (not shown), and a control means (not shown) for controlling the operation of the indoor unit so that the air is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger and the heat exchanged air is exposed to the room.

The indoor unit 102 includes a discharge opening for discharging the heat-exchanged air, and the discharge opening is provided with wind direction control means for opening and closing the discharge opening and controlling the direction of the discharged air. The indoor unit controls the air volume by controlling the air sucked in and the air discharged by controlling the rotation speed of the indoor fan.

At this time, the indoor unit 102 is provided with a vane for guiding air and opening and closing at least one at each air inlet and at least one discharge port, the vane opens and closes the air inlet and each discharge port, as well as the intake air and discharge Guide the direction of air. In some cases, the indoor unit may further include a human body detecting means for detecting a human body existing in the indoor space.

The indoor unit is connected to a remote controller (not shown) in a wired or wireless manner, sets the indoor unit operation according to data input from the remote control, and displays the operation state of the indoor unit through the remote controller.

The remote controller may include an input unit for setting indoor unit operation and an output unit displaying an operating state of the indoor unit.

In this case, the connection method of the indoor unit 102 and the remote controller may be the same communication method as the communication method when the indoor unit and the outdoor unit 105 are connected, but a different communication method may be used in some cases.

The outdoor unit 105 is operated in a cooling mode or a heating mode in response to a request of a connected indoor unit or an external control command, and supplies refrigerant to a plurality of indoor units.

The outdoor unit 105 separates the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant by compressing the incoming refrigerant to discharge at least one compressor 152 to discharge the high-pressure gas refrigerant, the compressor electric motor 152b to drive the compressor, and vaporize the gas refrigerant. Accumulator 153 for preventing the flow of liquid refrigerant to the compressor, an oil separator for recovering oil in the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger 154 to condense or evaporate the refrigerant by heat exchange with the outside air, In order to facilitate heat exchange of the outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor blower 155 including an outdoor fan 155a for introducing air to the outdoor heat exchanger and discharging the heat-exchanged air to the outside and an electric motor 1555b for rotating the outdoor fan 155a. ), Expansion valve 156 to expand the condensed refrigerant, four-way valve 160 to change the flow path of the refrigerant in accordance with the operation mode of the outdoor unit, the pressure to measure the enemy Also controls the at least one temperature sensor (not shown), the operation of the outdoor unit to one measure a pressure sensor (not shown), and temperature control means for performing communication with the other unit. The outdoor unit further includes a number of other sensors, valves, subcooling devices, etc., and a description thereof will be omitted below.

3 is a simplified internal block diagram of the air conditioner system of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, the central controller 100 may transmit / receive data to / from an air conditioner unit (outdoor unit, indoor unit, ventilator, etc.) using a predetermined protocol through an internal communication unit (not shown).

The central controller 100 transmits a control command to the air conditioner unit (outdoor unit, indoor unit, ventilator, etc.), and the air conditioner unit (outdoor unit, indoor unit, ventilator, etc.) operates according to the control command, Transmit the data to the central controller 100.

At this time, the communication between the air conditioner unit and the central controller 100 is basically performed periodically, non-periodic communication may be additionally performed when a specific event occurs or at the request of the central controller 100.

The central controller 100 may store data received through communication with the air conditioner unit as described above, and transmit the data to the remote controller 10 through a communication unit (not shown).

The remote controller 10 receives data on each operation state of the air conditioner unit (outdoor unit, indoor unit, ventilation device, etc.), outputs the received data, and monitors the operation of the air conditioner.

In addition, the remote controller 10 may operate as an input / output terminal for the operation of the central controller 100. For example, a control command or an operation schedule may be received through an input means of the remote controller 10. Then, the input operation schedule may be displayed through the output means (display, etc.) of the remote controller 10. Meanwhile, the remote controller 10 may transmit the input setting input to the central controller 100.

The central controller 100 may perform respective control (schedule control, power control), monitoring, or the like for the air conditioner unit (indoor, outdoor unit, ventilation device, etc.). For example, it is possible to control the operation / stop, air volume, wind direction, desired temperature, and the like of each air conditioner unit (indoor, outdoor unit, ventilator, etc.). In addition, operation modes such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, blowing, and automatic can be controlled. In addition, lock modes such as total, temperature, mode, and temperature limit can be set.

In particular, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the central controller 100 receives an input control command or a control command according to a specified driving schedule, and determines the matter of the air conditioner based on the received control command or the control command. Can be sent to the unit.

Specifically, the central controller 100 controls to operate the indoor unit of the air conditioner unit according to the set driving schedule, and when the pre stop time set during the indoor unit operation is reached, the temperature of the indoor unit in which the indoor unit is operating. If the difference between the monitored temperature and the set temperature of the indoor unit is within the set allowable temperature difference, control to stop the operation of the indoor unit. In this way, when the free stop time is reached during the scheduled operation, the indoor unit operation is stopped in advance under predetermined conditions, thereby reducing power consumption.

4 is a flowchart of an air conditioner system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a view referred to in the description of FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings, first, an operation schedule including a free stop time and an allowable temperature difference is set (S410).

Using the input means of the remote controller 10, the central controller 100 can set an operation schedule including a free stop time and an allowable temperature difference.

5 illustrates the output means of the remote controller 10, namely a display. When the schedule menu 510 is selected from various setting menus (control, schedule, peak power, monitoring, error history, power amount, system setting, and additional functions), the operation schedule can be set using an input means (not shown). have.

The schedule menu 510 may include operation schedules such as a repeating pattern, a setting period, a day of the week, a setting period, an operation mode, a wind volume, a wind direction, a mode lock, a wind direction lock, a total lock, a set temperature, a temperature lock, and an operation / stop item. It may include. It is also possible to select a specific indoor unit or a group to which the indoor unit belongs among the air conditioner units.

In addition, in connection with an embodiment of the present invention, the schedule menu 510 may further include an operation schedule 520 such as a pre stop time and a desired temperature difference.

 The pre-stop time item is an item for setting a predetermined time before the end of the set operation time. In the embodiment of the present invention, the pre-stop time item indicates a predetermined time before the stop time of the indoor unit. This is to allow the indoor unit to be stopped in advance under predetermined conditions.

The desired temperature difference item indicates a temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature where the actual indoor unit is located as the stop condition of the indoor unit when the free stop time is reached.

 In the drawing, '2H' (2 hours) is illustrated as the free stop time, but various examples such as '1H' and '0.5H' are possible. In the drawings, as the desired temperature difference, '3 ° C' is exemplified, but various examples such as '2 ° C' and '1 ° C' are possible.

Next, the indoor unit is driven according to the set driving schedule (S420).

The central controller 100 controls the indoor unit of the air conditioner unit to be operated according to the set driving schedule. To this end, the central controller 100 transmits driving schedule information set to the indoor unit, and the indoor unit operates by using received driving schedule information, that is, set temperature, air volume, wind direction, driving mode, repetition pattern, and the like. To start.

In addition, the driving schedule information may be transmitted to an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit. Accordingly, the outdoor unit can be operated so that the indoor unit provides the cooling capability.

Next, it is determined whether the preset free stop time is reached during indoor unit operation (S430). If applicable, the indoor unit monitors the temperature of the room in operation (S440).

The central controller 100 determines whether the set pre stop time is reached among the set driving schedules. As set in FIG. 5, it may be determined whether the pre-stop time 2H has been reached.

When the free stop time is reached, the central controller 100 monitors the temperature of the room where the indoor unit is operating. For example, by receiving the indoor temperature information detected by the indoor unit, the temperature is monitored.

Next, it is determined whether the difference between the monitored temperature and the set temperature of the indoor unit is within the set allowable temperature difference (S450). If applicable, the operation of the indoor unit is stopped (S450).

The central controller 100 determines whether the difference between the indoor temperature of the monitored indoor unit and the set temperature of the indoor unit is within the set allowable temperature difference. For example, as set in FIG. 5, it is determined whether the temperature difference is '3 ° C'.

If applicable, the central controller 100 transmits a driving stop command to the indoor unit. The indoor unit receives an operation stop command and stops the operation of the indoor unit. Specifically, the supply of the refrigerant to the outdoor unit is stopped. Before the actually set stop time, the indoor unit is stopped in advance at the free stop time. As a result, power consumption can be reduced.

The air conditioner system according to the present invention may not be limitedly applied to the configuration and method of the embodiments described as described above, but the embodiments may be selectively or partially all of the embodiments so that various modifications may be made. It may be configured in combination.

In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

Claims (6)

Driving the indoor unit according to a set driving schedule;
Monitoring the temperature of a room in which the indoor unit is operating when the preset free stop time is reached during the indoor unit operation; And
Stopping the operation of the indoor unit when the difference between the monitored temperature and the set temperature of the indoor unit is within a set allowable temperature difference. The method of claim 1,
Setting an operation schedule including a pre-stop time and an allowable temperature difference; and operating the air conditioner system. The method of claim 1,
The driving schedule is,
And at least one of a repetition pattern, a set period, an operation mode, an air volume, a wind direction, and the set temperature. Outdoor unit;
An indoor unit that performs heat exchange using the refrigerant from the outdoor unit; And
According to a set driving schedule, the indoor unit is controlled to operate, and when the preset free stop time is reached during operation of the indoor unit, the indoor unit is monitored for operating temperature, and the monitored temperature and the set temperature of the indoor unit are monitored. If the difference is within the set allowable temperature difference, the central controller for controlling to stop the operation of the indoor unit; air conditioner system comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein
The central controller,
An air conditioner system comprising setting an operation schedule including a free stop time and an allowable temperature difference. The method of claim 4, wherein
And a remote controller which displays the driving schedule, receives a setting input of the driving schedule, and transmits the input setting input to the central controller.

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